British Open Profile: Luke Donald

Best Odds: 33/1 (Coral)
Age: 35
World Ranking: 9
Best results in Open: T5 - 2009, 2012. 

Open Record:

Nobody could accuse Donald of taking to links golf quickly with a wretched record of five consecutive missed cuts in his first five Opens. After that run ended in 2004 it has got a little better for the unflappable Englishman. In truth though, even his best results to date only came courtesy of final rounds of 67 in 2009 and 68 in 2012 that pushed him late into T5 on both occasions. The world number nine has never been a genuine contender for this title.

Form:

For so long it seemed like all this Chicago-based favourite needed to do was replicate his regular tour form in the majors, but sadly he’s been a little off all round in 2013. The top-25 finishes have still been coming but there has been a lack of sparkle. He was poised alongside Rose at the US Open last month, but a final round 75 left question marks over his capacity to produce at the very biggest moments in majors.

Verdict:

He is talking optimistically after three solid showings in his last four Opens but ‘solid’ is of little use in the win market. Donald is always worth considering as an each-way option though, particularly when you factor in that the premium requirement on ball control at Muirfield should suit him.